Forest Revegetation Research Articles

Sugarcane cultivation as a major surface source of sediment in catchments from a coastal zone of Pernambuco, Brazil

ABSTRACT Identifying sediment sources is fundamental for protecting and improving soil and water quality. Conventional fingerprinting studies have often collected sediments at the overall watershed outlet only, resulting in an important spatial scale dependency. This study aimed to identify and to assess the delivery patterns of sediment sources within three priority sub-catchments (Sapocaji, Piedade and Minas) located in the downstream portion of the Ipojuca River watershed in Brazil. This research would build on understanding sediment sources in the studied watershed by elucidating source type contributions on a sub-catchment basis. Both bed and suspended sediment samples were collected in these sub-catchments, and two types of sources were sampled: surface and subsurface sources. A total of 21 geochemical tracers were measured. The tracers were evaluated for their conservation and discriminatory ability (Kruskal-Wallis test and linear discriminant analysis), and the best set of tracers was selected for source apportionment modeling using MixSIAR. Surface (i.e., sugarcane croplands) sources contributed the highest to suspended sediments in the Piedade and Minas sub-catchments. There was a difference in the quality of riverbank management, which helped explain contrasts in the importance of this source. Overall, sub-catchment-specific sediment control management measures, such as the revegetation of riparian forests, need to be implemented, mainly in the Sapocaji sub-catchment. These results underscore the importance of connectivity for surface source contributions.

Community Empowerment Participation in Forest Revegetation: An Analysis Study on the Slope Communities of Mount Arjuna, Indonesia

The research objectives was to determine the analysis of community empowerment participation for the forest revegetation in Arjuna Mount. This service uses a Participatory Rural Appraisal approach, with the study population covering communities around the forest of Arjuna Mount Pasuruan-East Java Indonesia. Data obtained from respondents with a questionnaire and analyzed using SEM (structural equation modeling), to find out an overview of respondents' responses about community participation in the preservation of the Arjuna Mount Forest. Community participation in the form of human capital, economy, social, local institutions, facilities and infrastructure has significant influence on community empowerment for the preservation of the Arjuna mount forest. Estimated regression weights for each indicator of community empowerment in Leduk, Jatiarjo and Dayurejo villages are human resources 0.99, economy 0.99, social 0.97, local institutions 1.00 and facilities and infrastructure 1.00. This explains that local institutional factors, facilities and infrastructure have a significant influence on community empowerment for the preservation of the Arjuna mount forest.

Edge-of-Field Runoff Analysis following Grazing and Silvicultural Best Management Practices in Northeast Texas

Landowners and natural resource agencies are seeking to better understand the benefits of best management practices (BMPs) for addressing water quality issues. Using edge-of-field and edge-of-farm runoff analysis, we compared runoff volumes and water quality between small watersheds where BMPs (e.g., prescribed grazing, silvicultural practices) were implemented and control watersheds managed using conventional practices (i.e., continuous grazing, natural forest revegetation). Flow-weighted samples, collected over a 2-year period using automated samplers, were analyzed for nitrate/nitrite nitrogen (NNN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (P), ortho-phosphate phosphorous (OP), total suspended solids (TSS), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Comparison of silvicultural planting to conventional reforestation practices showed a significant decrease in NNN loads (p < 0.05) but no significant differences in TKN, P, OP, TSS, or E. coli. Continuously grazed sites yielded >24% more runoff than sites that were under prescribed grazing regimes, despite receiving less total rainfall. Likewise, NNN, TSS, and TKN loadings were significantly lower under prescribed grazing management than on conventionally grazed sites (p < 0.05). Data suggests that grazing BMPs can be an effective tool for rapidly improving water quality. However, silvicultural BMPs require more time (i.e., >2 years) to establish and achieve detectable improvements.

Revegetation of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest of Former Fires Using Local Tree Species in South Sumatra (Indonesia)

Revegetation of tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) from former fires with local tree species has strategic value for the recovery of PSF, which has been largely lost and severely degraded by logging, conversion, drainage, and repetitive fires. The PSF recovery will be followed by increased forest cover, CO2 sequestration, O2 production, and peat ecosystem biodiversity. The method of revegetation that guarantees successful planting is still very lacking and has not been widely publicized. The study aimed to analyze the growth of revegetated plants on PSF of former fires. It used a field experiment design with four types of local peat plants, namely ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), punak (Tetramerista glabra), tembesu (Fragraea fragrans), and pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora). The results of the study showed that until the age of 2 years, the survival rate of revegetated plants ranged from 92.56%–94.69%, with growth of 32.53–44.94 cm/year and diameter growth of 0.87–1.21 cm/year. The growth of revegetated plants still accelerated in observations until the age of 3 years. This study provides optimism that PSF revegetation degraded by the fires could be carried out with satisfactory results.

Using long-term experimental restoration of agroecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand to improve implementation of Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation

Tree planting has long played a major role in the New Zealand Government’s approach to climate mitigation and is increasingly understood as important for climate adaptation. However, large-scale tree planting in Aotearoa New Zealand has been dominated by exotic species. Although there is growing public and expert support for using native species for forest revegetation in farm landscapes, there are two key barriers. First, the lack of ecological and economic data on native species performance in different environmental conditions. Second, policy and market-related mechanisms associated with carbon sequestration, such as the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, favor the continuing use of exotic tree species, especially Pinus radiata, over native species. Consequently, there are strong incentives for exotic forests and insufficient financial support for natives, even when native forest re-establishment is often the preference of landowners, Indigenous peoples, and local communities. The AUT Living Laboratories Program is a long-term, transdisciplinary, experimental restoration research program aimed at addressing scientific, social, and economic knowledge gaps for native revegetation as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) on farmland soils. Here, we present the project design and establishment information from the three experimental restoration sites, which vary in native species composition, planting configuration, and environmental and socio-cultural context. Each site involves partnerships with Indigenous communities, specifically Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Manuhiri, and Ngāti Pāoa, to value and embed mātauranga Māori as Indigenous knowledge. Monitoring carbon sequestration along with changes in ecological functions and outcomes, including native biodiversity, will be critical to ensure that large-scale tree-planting aligns with the government’s strategies for climate change, native biodiversity, and economic prosperity.

Communicating the springs and forest preservation in the Arjuna mount area, Indonesia

The study's goals were to determine the impact of community empowerment for the springs and forest preservation in the Arjuna mount area from the environmental communication perspective. The quantitative descriptive research method was used, with the study population covered communities around the forest and springs that were domiciled in three villages, namely Leduk, Jatiarjo, Dayurejo Villages, Pasuruan-East Java, Indonesia. Data was gathered from respondents with a questionnaire and analysed using SEM (structural equation modelling) to find an overview of respondents' responses about community participation in preserving the Arjuna mount forest. Human resources around the forest, namely the level of education and employment, contribute to the success of revegetation of forests; family economic conditions such as personal and family income, ownership of fields and rice fields for business, and livestock and fisheries businesses assist successful forest revegetation; social characteristics of the community around the forest such as cooperation and kinship between community members contribute to forest revegetation; community institutions, namely forest village community institutions, are a vehicle for the community to revegetate forests successfully; the availability of village community facilities and infrastructures such as paved road access, transportation and communication networks, education and health facilities contribute to the successful revegetation of Arjuna mount forest.

To Plant or Not to Plant, That Is the Question: Reforestation vs. Natural Regeneration of Hurricane-Disturbed Mangrove Forests in Guanaja (Honduras)

Background and Objectives: Mangrove forests offer many essential ecosystem services, including the protection of (sub)tropical coastlines, their inhabitants, and the infrastructure from severe storms and tsunamis. However, mangroves themselves suffer severely from such phenomena. After such events, reforestation efforts are widely undertaken to facilitate the recovery of the mangroves. Many of these laborious activities, however, fail for a number of reasons. Material and Methods: In October 1998, the Honduran Island of Guanaja was severely hit by Hurricane Mitch, and, after the storm, almost all of the mangrove forests (97%) were rated as dead. Seven years after Mitch, a longterm survey on the regeneration of the mangroves started. Field samplings in six variably disturbed mangrove zones was conducted in 2005, 2009, and 2016. Along permanent line-transects, all living plant species were recorded for statistical analyses and for quantifying progress. In this paper, the focus is on the three most severely hit areas. In two of them, planting efforts were carried out while the third one was left to regenerate naturally. This setting allowed a direct comparison between natural and human-assisted regeneration processes under otherwise similar conditions and equally severe previous disturbance. Results: Reforestation measures were characterized by high mortality rates of Rhizophora mangle L. propagules planted predominantly. Some, however, surely survived and might have contributed to regeneration after the disturbance. In 2016, roughly two decades after Hurricane Mitch, low-growing Rhizophora mangle forests, with high ground cover, were found. Surprisingly, the area without any planting also witnessed similar mangrove rejuvenation in the same period. Conclusion: Findings on the recovering mangroves in Guanaja confirm the lessons learned from other mangrove rehabilitation measures: planting mostly fails and commonly does not accelerate the revegetation of disturbed forests. In naturally regenerating forests, recolonization may occur after a certain time-lag only if few diaspore sources survived in the surrounding; as soon as established mangrove plants bear propagules, a quick return to viable forests takes place, proving the high resilience of these coastal ecosystems.

Arjuna Mountain Forest Revegetation to Preserve Areas Around Springs

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of forest revegetation on Arjuna Mount of the preservation of the area around the spring. The research method was quantitative descriptive, by conducting a survey of measurements in the area around the springs. The survey method covers: (1) the measurement of the number and type of plants, the results of their growth (number of plants that live and die), as well as measuring the water discharge of springs; (2) interviews of people living in the vicinity of springs; (3) direct observation of vegetation conditions around Lajer, Dawuan, Sumber Kuning and Watupereng springs in Arjuna Mount. Data were analyzed quantitatively spatially using GIS, ArcView 3.3 programs and Google Earth. The results showed that (1) forest revegetation in Lajer’s springs area, the water debit of springs were 10.35 L/s; (2) forest revegetation in Dawuan springs area, the water debit of springs were 25.47 L/s; (3) forest revegetation in Sumber Kuning springs area, the water debit of springs were 10.25 L/s; (4) forest revegetation in the Watu Pereng springs, the water debit of springs were 0.80 L/s.

Model of Community Empowerment of Springs Preservation in Arjuna Mountains

The research objectives were (1) to examine the determinants of community empowerment towards the revegetation of Arjuna mount forests; (2) assessing the influence of geography and soil conditions on the revegetation of Arjuna mount forests; (3) reviewing the effect of Arjuna mount forest revegetation on the preservation of spring water sources and (4) formulating a model for empowering communities around the forest towards sustainable conservation of springs. The research method was descriptive quantitative, with research populations around the forest and springs, namely Leduk, Jatiarjo and Dayurejo Village, Prigen District, Pasuruan Regency, East Java. The research sample was determined by cluster sampling and data analysis using SEM (structural equation modeling). The results showed that (1) the variable of community empowerment with factors human resources, economic, social, local institutions, facilities and infrastructure have a very significant effect on revegetation of Gunung Arjuna forest; (2) geographic and soil variables have a very significant effect on forest revegetation; (3) forest revegetation variables have a very significant effect on the preservation of spring resources; and (4) the local institutional factors, facilities and infrastructure have a higher influence than other factors. The institutional and facilities and infrastructure factors of the forest community can be a model of empowering the community around the forest towards the success of revegetation and preservation of the area around the source of the spring, and was the novelty of this dissertation research.

Forest Vegetation Profile for Springs Preservation in Arjuna Mount, East Java-Indonesia

The research objectives was to determine Arjuna mount forest vegetation profile for preservation of the area around the spring. The method used was descriptive method. While based on the techniques and tools used to research, the author uses the survey method to obtain facts that occur in the research area, namely in the area around the springs of Arjuna mount, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia. Data obtained in the field are then processed and analyzed using GIS, ArcView 3.3 and Google Earth programs. The results of the study explain that the condition of the land slope and the land depth of the Arjuna mount forest provide benefits to the growth and development of plant vegetation profiles. Forest revegetation of with several activities including selection of plant species, nurseries, fertilizing, planting and care provide benefits to the growth and development of plant vegetation profiles. The vegetation profile of the Arjuna mount forest plant provides benefits to the preservation of the area around the springs.

Shifting Cultivation in Manipur:Land, Labour and Environment

Shifting cultivation is the main source of livelihood system in the hill areas of Manipur, one of the north-eastern States in India. It is widely prevalent due to lack of alternative farm employment. Its inputs are crude and traditional in nature resulting in subsistence income. Shifting cultivation is labour-intensive and has a traditional character. Empirical evidence shows that rapid population growth has increased the use of forest land for shifting cultivation in Manipur. The system's cycle has substantially declined due to population pressure on land thereby reducing the productivity. It has resulted in environmental degradation and problems of forest land re-vegetation. It has also led to a huge loss of forest resources every year. Its production is mostly organic due to sparingly use of inorganic fertilisers. Institutional changes in the form of private ownership of land have resulted in commercialisation of forest products like timber and firewood. Land use and forest laws need to be strengthened to safeguard and protect forest land. Ensuring food security and restructuring of land ownership system from community to private may reduce the practice of shifting cultivation and conserve forest cover.

Effects of Dolomitic Limestone Application on Zinc Speciation in Boreal Forest Smelter-Contaminated Soils.

Anthropogenic activities at the HudBay Minerals, Inc., Flin Flon (Manitoba, Canada) mining and processing facility have severely affected the surrounding boreal forest ecosystem. Soil contamination occurred via a combination of metal and sulfuric acid deposition and has resulted in forest dieback and ineffective natural recovery. A community-led effort to revegetate areas of the landscape through the application of a dolomitic limestone has been met with varied success. Zinc (Zn) speciation has shown to be closely linked to the presence or absence of an invasive metal-tolerant grass species, with soils being broadly classed into two revegetation response groups. Group I, characterized by the absence of metal-tolerant grasses, and group II, characterized by the presence of metal-tolerant grasses. The systematic approach used to lime areas of the landscape produced a liming chronosequence for each group. This study used a combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence mapping, and X-ray diffraction techniques to determine the effect of liming on Zn speciation in these chronosequences. Liming group I soils resulted in the formation of a neo-phase Zn-Al-hydroxy interlayer coprecipitate and subsequent rapid boreal forest revegetation. The effect of liming on Zn speciation on the group II soils resulted in a gradual transition of increasingly stable adsorption species, culminating with a stable Zn-Al-layered double hydroxide precipitate. Boreal forest vegetation has failed to recolonize group II soils during the study. However, the formation of the layered double hydroxide species resulted in a significant reduction in CaCl-extractable Zn. Further research is required to determine how to promote the revegetation of these soils.

Landslide-induced changes of soil physicochemical properties in Xitou, Central Taiwan

Steep mountain terrain, fractured geological environments, and intense precipitation events are primary factors that contribute to frequent landslides in mountainous regions. Landslides exert an immense impact on forest ecosystems and substantially change soil properties; understanding these changes is crucial to facilitating subsequent forest revegetation and management. In this study, the effects of landslide on soil physicochemical properties were investigated in a moist montane forest ecosystem in Xitou, Central Taiwan. We established a dataset comprised historical soil survey data obtained in 1976 and data from soil samples taken in 2012 at the same locations to compare differences in soil properties after landslide deposition, and also conducted soil sampling along a landslide/nonlandslide affected sequence to determine how the degree of landslide deposition affected soil physicochemical properties. The results indicated that rock fragment content, soil pH value, bulk density, inorganic carbon, and base saturation increased following landslide deposition and that severe landslide deposition caused more substantial increases. By contrast, the thicknesses of the O and A horizons, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and cation-exchange capacity significantly decreased following landslides; these decreases were more substantial with increasing degree of landslide deposition. Exchangeable potassium, calcium, magnesium, and available phosphorus content, however, were unaffected by landslide deposition. The results demonstrated that soil physicochemical properties were significantly altered after landslide deposition; these resultant changes, particularly in regard to high soil pH value, poor structure, and low soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, are expected to influence functions in forest ecosystems.

Deagrarianisation and forest revegetation in a biodiversity hotspot on the Wild Coast, South Africa.

Deagraianisation is a worldwide phenomenon with widespread social, ecological and economic effects yet with little consensus on the local or higher level causes. There have been contested views on the causes and consequences of deagrarianisation on South Africa's Wild Coast, which is an international biodiversity hotspot. Using GIS, household interviews and ecological sampling, we compared the perspectives of current and former cultivators as to why some have abandoned farming, whilst also tracking the uses and woody plant cover and composition of fields abandoned at different periods. The GIS analysis showed that field abandonment had been ongoing over several decades, with a decline from 12.5 % field cover in 1961 to 2.7 % in 2009. The area of forests and woodlands almost doubled in the corresponding period. There was a distinct peak in field abandonment during the time of political transition at the national level in the early 1990 s. This political change led to a decrease in government support for livestock farming, which in turn resulted in reduced animal draught power at the household and community level, and hence reduced cropping. The study showed it is largely the wealthier households that have remained in arable agriculture and that the poorer households have abandoned farming. The abandoned fields show a distinct trend of increasing woody biomass and species richness with length of time since abandonment, with approximately three woody plant species added per decade. Most local respondents dislike the increases in forest and woodland extent and density because of anxiety about wild animals causing harm to crops and even humans, and the loss of an agricultural identity to livelihoods and the landscape.

Deagrarianisation and Forest Revegetation in a Biodiversity Hotspot on the Wild Coast, South Africa

Deagraianisation is a worldwide phenomenon with widespread social, ecological and economic effects yet with little consensus on the local or higher level causes. There have been contested views on the causes and consequences of deagrarianisation on South Africa’s Wild Coast, which is an international biodiversity hotspot. Using GIS, household interviews and ecological sampling, we compared the perspectives of current and former cultivators as to why some have abandoned farming, whilst also tracking the uses and woody plant cover and composition of fields abandoned at different periods. The GIS analysis showed that field abandonment had been ongoing over several decades, with a decline from 12.5 % field cover in 1961 to 2.7 % in 2009. The area of forests and woodlands almost doubled in the corresponding period. There was a distinct peak in field abandonment during the time of political transition at the national level in the early 1990s. This political change led to a decrease in government support for livestock farming, which in turn resulted in reduced animal draught power at the household and community level, and hence reduced cropping. The study showed it is largely the wealthier households that have remained in arable agriculture and that the poorer households have abandoned farming. The abandoned fields show a distinct trend of increasing woody biomass and species richness with length of time since abandonment, with approximately three woody plant species added per decade. Most local respondents dislike the increases in forest and woodland extent and density because of anxiety about wild animals causing harm to crops and even humans, and the loss of an agricultural identity to livelihoods and the landscape.

特集「シカの採食圧による植生被害防除と回復」 松くい虫被害を受けた島根半島弥山山地の天然林の再生と管理にニホンジカが与える影響

ニホンジカが生息している島根半島西部の弥山山地において，松くい虫被害跡地の再生方法や今後の森林管理方法を検討するため，16 ヶ所の植生を調査した。高・亜高木は常緑樹29 種，落葉樹42 種が確認された。このうち，出現本数や胸高断面積合計で高い値を示したのはアブラギリ，ヤブツバキ，シロダモ，アカマツであった。低木の総合優占度ではヤブツバキ，シロダモが高・亜高木と同様に高い値を示した。したがって，これらの樹種はシカが生息している状況でも本地域で生育が可能な樹種であると考えられる。一方，アブラギリ，アカマツは低い値であった。このことから，本地域の植生は，シカ防護柵など人為的にシカの排除を行わない限り，ヤブツバキやシロダモを主体とする多様性の低い常緑樹林に移行すると考えられた。

Atributos físicos relacionados à compactação de solos sob vegetação nativa em região de altitude no Sul do Brasil

A compactação causada por atividades antrópicas altera os atributos físicos do solo, causando redução na produtividade e impactos ao ambiente. Muitos estudos sobre esse tema têm sido realizados em solos agrícolas, porém poucas são as informações em áreas com vegetação nativa, nas quais, geralmente, os teores de matéria orgânica são mais elevados. Assim, é oportuno avaliar a relação entre os atributos físicos relacionados à compactação, nessas condições, a fim de estabelecer valores de referência para projetos de recuperação de áreas degradadas em campos naturais ou matas ciliares. Objetivou-se relacionar densidade máxima (DsMáx), umidade ótima de compactação (UOC) e densidade relativa (DR) com os limites de consistência, granulometria e teor de matéria orgânica de solos predominantes do Planalto Sul do Estado de Santa Catarina sob vegetação nativa de clima temperado. Amostras do horizonte A foram coletadas em dois Nitossolos, dois Neossolos e dois Cambissolos. Foram avaliados: a granulometria, a densidade de partícula, o teor de carbono orgânico total, os limites de liquidez, de plasticidade e de pegajosidade, o índice de plasticidade, a densidade máxima, a umidade ótima de compactação, a densidade do solo e a densidade relativa. A DsMáx aumenta com o teor de areia total e areia fina e reduz com os teores de argila e com os limites de liquidez e de pegajosidade. A UOC diminui nos solos arenosos, especialmente naqueles com predominância de areia fina, e aumenta nos argilosos ou com maior teor de carbono orgânico total e dos limites de Atterberg. A UOC variou entre 0,76 e 1,05 vezes o limite de plasticidade, tendo relação direta com o teor de silte, indicando que a umidade ótima de compactação não pode ser avaliada apenas com a determinação do limite de plasticidade de um solo. Os solos de altitude do Planalto Sul de SC têm relação UOC/LP diferente da de solos de outros locais, como consequência dos elevados teores de matéria orgânica desses solos.

Natural Revegetation of a Boreal Gold Mine Tailings Pond

AbstractUnderstanding the natural revegetation of forests disturbed by the dumping of mine wastes is vital for the success of reclamation strategies. The Gunnar gold mine tailings pond in southeast Manitoba has remained largely unvegetated since the mine was closed in 1942, with limited vegetation developed on one side of the pond. We examined the natural Picea mariana/Larix laricina forest that has developed on the pond to determine how the plant community develops and what changes in the tailings are associated with this development. Vegetation sampled along transects showed a consistent pattern of succession from Equisetum palustre to Salix spp., and Populus balsamifera, to Larix laricina and finally to P. mariana. Larix laricina and P. mariana are moving into the site at the rate of 1.5 m per year with L. laricina invading 4 years ahead of P. mariana. Both tree species show a similar pattern of annual growth, showing positive correlations with spring precipitation, a pattern also occurring on L. laricina growing on a nearby site. The establishment of E. palustre was accompanied by initially rapid decreases in compaction and conductivity of the tailings, and an increase in inorganic nitrogen. Surface organic matter depth, coarse organic matter mass, and soil organic carbon increased at a constant rate, whereas subsurface coarse organic matter had an initial rapid increase followed by a gradual increase. As fern allies (and specifically members of the Equisetaceae family) have a number of properties that facilitate succession on mine wastes, their use should be explored further.

Phytotoxic Catechin Leached by Seeds of the Tropical Weed Sesbania virgata

Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers (wand riverhemp) is a fast-growing tropical legume species that has been used for revegetation of riparian forests and rehabilitation of degraded areas and that exhibits an invasive behavior in certain regions of Brazil. Preliminary studies have shown that seed leachates inhibit the germination and development of seedlings of some crop species. In this study, we report that the seed leachates of S. virgata inhibit the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. The flavonoid (+)-catechin is found in high amounts in these leachates. It was active at concentrations of 50 microg ml(-1), and its effect was not distinguishable from the (+)-catechin obtained from a commercial source. We found that (+)-catechin is located in the seed coat and is rapidly released in high concentrations (235 microg per seed) at the beginning of imbibition. Quercetin was also detected in the seed coat of S. virgata, but it was not released from the seeds. Other phytotoxic compounds in the seed leachates were also detected. The fact that S. virgata releases high amounts of (+)-catechin, which also has antimicrobial activity, and other phytotoxins from its seeds at the earliest stages of its development might represent some adaptative advantage to the seedling that contributes to its invasive behavior and successful establishment in different soils.

Adaptive management approach to increasing the diversity of a 30-year-old planted forest in an urban area of Japan

Thirty years have passed since the completion of land reclamation and the planting of broad-leaved evergreen trees at the Expo’70 Commemorative Park, which was developed in an urban area of Osaka, the second largest city in Japan. Canopy closure and biomass development of the forests in the park are proof of the success of the revegetation of laurel forests. However, because low penetration of solar radiation to the forest floor seemed to restrict the diversity of forest floor vegetation, we carried out adaptive forest management to increase the diversity. To improve the light environment on the forest floor, we created four artificial gaps, each 15 m×15 m. Further, to establish a new diverse population from seed, we spread forest topsoil from a secondary forest containing a diverse seedbank over these gaps. The average gap fraction under the intact canopy was 0.09. Partial removal of trees (52% of basal area) increased the average gap fraction to 0.19 and heavy removal (more than 88% of basal area) increased it to 0.29–0.54. Species number and density of germinated seedlings became significantly greater in the gaps than under the intact canopy. Many seedlings arose in the gaps from the seedbanks that have built up over the last 30 years in the topsoil of the park forest. Only 1 year after creation of gaps, the spread of forest topsoil had resulted in the germination of six species that did not exist in the park before, indicating the possibility of creating diverse populations. In the partial removal plot, the seedling density was the highest, but the seedling death rates were also large and the seedlings grew the least. Differences in the light environment as determined mainly by removal intensity might affect patterns of revegetation from a seedbank.